Chapter 96. See you at The Rite of Descension
While Zhongli, Guizhong, Nahida, and Albedo continued their discussion, they not only confirmed that Albedo and Klee would accompany Nahida to Sumeru, but also began examining another important matter—the Teleportation Scepter's energy consumption.
What if the Teleportation Scepter eventually exhausted its energy? What if it possessed no means of recovering that energy on its own?
Zhongli proposed an idea.
They could use Sangonomiya Kokomi's Condensed Resin.
Not the imitation Condensed Resin jointly developed by Albedo, Zhongli, and Venti.
Rather, the genuine Condensed Resin Kokomi had obtained from the Chat Group.
The Power of Time contained within it might be capable of replenishing the Teleportation Scepter's spatial energy. Although time and spatial authority were fundamentally different, they complemented one another in certain respects.
Furthermore, little Klee also possessed a Fragmented Resin containing the Power of Time.
The temporal power sealed within that Fragmented Resin far exceeded that of ordinary Condensed Resin.
Originally, Condensed Resin had been created primarily to resist erosion.
However, as the Chat Group continued evolving, its members gradually gained increasingly remarkable passive benefits.
According to Azhdaha, under normal circumstances, he would have required several centuries to recover completely from erosion.
Now...
He estimated it would take only a little over ninety years.
The difference was astonishing.
Every single day, Azhdaha could feel the malice born from erosion steadily fading away.
More accurately, that malice had begun awakening. It was gradually recovering memories that had long since been buried.
It finally understood that Morax had never betrayed or abandoned it.
Rather, it had personally requested Morax to seal it away.
As those memories resurfaced, the accumulated hatred naturally dissolved and slowly returned to the original body.
In other words, Azhdaha had now reached a state where he could endure the effects of erosion while simultaneously confronting external enemies.
Of course, if given the choice, Azhdaha still hoped to wait until the erosion disappeared completely before engaging in battle.
After all, the agony of erosion was something few could truly understand.
Back when the Chat Group had yet to evolve, even with its assistance, Azhdaha's recovery would still have taken an unimaginably long time.
That was also why Zhongli had personally traveled to Mondstadt to seek Venti's help. If he had possessed the means to gather sufficient time power himself—
He never would have allowed Venti to shoulder such risks.
Yet now—Zhongli could not help wondering whether it was merely his imagination.
Venti appeared to be enjoying himself far too much. Confined to the Nameless Isle, he never lacked food or drink. Every day, he leisurely gathered intelligence from every corner of Teyvat through the winds.
He had even casually entrusted the Anemo Gnosis to Futsu Mitama.
If anyone within the Chat Group was living the most carefree life—
It was undoubtedly the Anemo Archon who loved idleness above all else.
In short, thanks to the passive improvements brought about by the Chat Group's evolution, most members no longer had any pressing need for Condensed Resin.
Whether genuine Condensed Resin or the imitation version—
Large quantities had quietly become surplus resources.
That was precisely why Zhongli and Albedo suggested using them as an emergency energy source for the Teleportation Scepter.
Naturally, this would only become necessary if the artifact eventually exhausted its energy and proved incapable of restoring itself.
Only then would they consider using Condensed Resin—or perhaps even the Fragmented Resin Klee carried—to replenish it.
Nahida nodded thoughtfully.
She had no objections.
If anything, she found herself rather curious.
Could the Teleportation Scepter truly provide limitless teleportation?
And if not would the Power of Time actually restore its energy?
If even that failed...
Well.
There were more than enough original Archons within the Chat Group to concern themselves with such problems.
It certainly would not become her responsibility.
Before long, Albedo excused himself to retrieve Klee.
"You're not going to contact her through the Chat Group?"
Nahida tilted her head in confusion.
"If Klee is already in the group, wouldn't it be much easier to simply send her a message? The Chat Group even has a location function. As long as she follows the marker, she should be able to find us. So why make the trip yourself?"
"Because of Azhdaha~"
Guizhong spread her hands helplessly before glancing toward Zhongli.
"If we simply tell Klee to come over through the Chat Group, most people probably wouldn't think much of it."
"But Azhdaha would definitely find it strange. He might immediately ask, 'Isn't Klee already with you? Why are you calling her over?'"
"He could even start wondering why Albedo deliberately ended the group livestream before letting Klee wander off."
Nahida blinked.
"Is... that really strange? I think it sounds perfectly normal."
As a newcomer, Nahida had yet to understand many of the group's unspoken rules.
At least within Sumeru...
Such behavior would have seemed entirely ordinary.
Thanks to the Akasha.
Whether conducting research or discussing academics, scholars often behaved in remarkably unconventional ways.
One moment they could be fiercely debating a theory.
The next...
One of them might calmly declare,
"Let's upload our research into the Akasha. Then we'll let the data decide who's right."
From there, the debate would simply continue through exchanged knowledge.
To Nahida the Chat Group was even more convenient than the Akasha.
So why not use it that way?
After all...
Ever since joining, she had already watched Futsu Mitama start numerous group livestreams.
Would one more really matter?
"Actually..."
Guizhong glanced toward Zhongli once more before letting out another sigh.
"Zhongli has never appeared in a group livestream. So we absolutely can't bring up that topic. If we do—Azhdaha might finally notice. And then everything will fall apart."
Nahida stared at Zhongli in astonishment. She suddenly realized just how extraordinary that was. Judging from everything Futsu Mitama had shared—
The Chat Group had existed for at least one year. Perhaps even longer.
Yet throughout all that time—Mr. Zhongli had never once appeared in a livestream?
Zhongli remained silent.
Because...
It was true.
As long as nobody deliberately mentioned it, the matter naturally passed unnoticed. But the moment someone pointed it out—the disguise would likely collapse.
After all, Azhdaha had repeatedly assumed it was merely coincidence whenever Zhongli happened to be absent from Futsu Mitama's broadcasts.
He genuinely believed it had happened by chance.
Only those who already knew Zhongli's true identity—
Venti.
Raiden Makoto.
Raiden Ei.
Maha Rukkhadevata.
Guizhong.
Albedo.
And several others—understood that none of it had been accidental.
It had all been carefully arranged by Futsu Mitama. He had quietly helped Zhongli preserve his hidden identity.
No one knew exactly when Futsu Mitama had figured it out.
Yet no one ever questioned it.
Not even Zhongli himself.
Everyone simply accepted the arrangement without discussion. Whenever the subject came close to surfacing—someone would smoothly steer the conversation elsewhere.
If Albedo were to tag Klee in the Chat Group and ask her to come over now—even Azhdaha would inevitably notice something was wrong.
"So..." Guizhong smiled helplessly. "You understand now, don't you, Nahida?"
Nahida nodded repeatedly.
"I understand."
Even so—
She still found it astonishing that Zhongli had managed to avoid appearing in livestreams for so long without Azhdaha noticing.
Was the power of first impressions really that overwhelming?
She also silently reminded herself to be careful. If she accidentally let something slip—
She would likely become the Chat Group's sinner.
Afterward, Guizhong continued chatting with Nahida, sharing all sorts of amusing stories from within the Chat Group.
For example—
How three Archons had once competed over Futsu Mitama.
How the Anemo Archon had simply given up and tossed him the Anemo Gnosis, insisting he become the next Anemo Archon.
How the Electro Archon had been even more decisive, directly entrusting him with her legacy and even bestowing upon him the title of Raiden Shogun.
Originally—
According to the plan—
Once this year's Rite of Descension concluded—
Futsu Mitama could also become the next Geo Archon.
"..."
Nahida blinked blankly. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming.
First, Barbatos had voluntarily handed over the Anemo Gnosis.
Then, Beelzebub had entrusted both her legacy and her divine title.
Now, even Morax intended to pass the position of Geo Archon to Futsu Mitama?
But, wasn't Azhdaha a more suitable successor? Or even Guizhong herself?
For a brief moment—Nahida felt she had learned entirely too much in a single day.
She had met Futsu Mitama.
Battled a Fatui Harbinger, La Signora.
Joined the Chat Group.
Reunited with Maha Rukkhadevata.
Met several Archons.
Obtained the Teleportation Scepter.
Escaped five centuries of imprisonment.
Traveled beyond Sumeru for the first time.
Made her very first friend.
And now, She was hearing one astonishing revelation after another from Guizhong.
Still—
One question lingered in her mind. Why would Morax only pass down the Geo Archon position after this year's Rite of Descension? Was that ceremony especially significant?
Perhaps—
Once Sumeru's crisis had been resolved—
She should visit Liyue herself. Maybe she could learn something important by witnessing the Rite of Descension firsthand.
While Nahida and Guizhong continued chatting, Albedo returned with Klee.
"Hello, Big Brother! Hello, Big Sisters!"
Klee cheerfully greeted everyone.
Guizhong's smile immediately brightened. After all, who wouldn't enjoy being called "Big Sister"?
Zhongli also gave Klee a slight nod.
"We're ready."
Nahida tightened her grip around the Teleportation Scepter. She intended to bring Albedo and Klee directly back to the outskirts of Sumeru City.
Truthfully—
She still wasn't entirely certain whether the artifact could transport multiple people simultaneously.
If it could—
That would be ideal.
If not—
Mr. Zhongli would probably need to personally escort them.
Among everyone present, only he possessed the ability to deliver them safely into Sumeru within a short time.
"Adventure! Adventure!"
Klee bounced excitedly in place. On the way here, Albedo had already explained everything.
Although Klee had initially been reluctant to leave Sister Hu Tao behind—
Albedo reminded her that this was only a temporary farewell. Once they returned to Liyue—
They would naturally meet again.
Besides—
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had recently become exceptionally busy. Hu Tao scarcely had time for anything else. She was so occupied that she had even forgotten about Zhongli—the consultant employed by her own funeral parlor.
That alone spoke volumes about how hectic things had become.
"Travel safely."
Guizhong waved warmly toward Klee and Nahida before turning to Albedo.
"I'll leave their safety in your hands."
"..."
Albedo's expression immediately became rather complicated.
Protect Nahida?
She was an Archon.
If the uncontrollable power sleeping inside his own body erupted—It was difficult to say who would end up protecting whom.
Then there was Klee. Was he supposed to protect Klee—or protect everyone else from Klee?
As her older brother, Albedo adored Klee beyond measure.
Yet from the day they first met—He had understood one undeniable truth.
Klee had perfectly inherited Alice's bloodline.
She looked adorable.
She was innocent.
She was lovable.
And she possessed a destructive capability sufficient to give anyone a splitting headache.
Consequently, Albedo spent most of his life either cleaning up Alice's messes or Klee's.
"Take this."
Without another word, Zhongli quietly produced a small golden stone and placed it in Klee's hands.
"If you encounter danger—It will protect you."
"Eh?"
Klee looked down at the glowing stone before breaking into a radiant smile.
"Thank you, Big Brother Zhongli!"
"Pfft!"
Guizhong immediately burst into laughter.
The corners of Albedo's mouth twitched.
Nahida quietly covered her lips, unable to suppress a smile herself.
Klee's innocent form of address had instantly reduced the oldest Archon in Teyvat to nothing more than an older brother.
"Well then~~ We're leaving."
Nahida waved gently toward Zhongli and Guizhong.
Then she smiled softly.
"We'll meet again at the next Rite of Descension. When that day comes—I'll visit Liyue in my capacity as the God of Wisdom."
Saying that, Nahida tightened her grip on the Teleportation Scepter. She recalled the place she had departed from moments earlier, silently focusing on the destination as she prepared to activate the scepter's power and return.
At that moment, Klee happily reached out and took Nahida's hand with one hand and Albedo's with the other.
Shua—!!!
A brilliant flash of white light blossomed around the three of them.
The next instant, Nahida, Klee, and Albedo disappeared completely from Zhongli's and Guizhong's sight.
The teleportation had succeeded.
"The next Rite of Descension..."
Zhongli gently stroked his chin, his golden eyes carrying a contemplative gleam. Nahida's earlier words had clearly given him something new to consider.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Guizhong looked at Zhongli with a playful smile. "If you're going to 'die,' then naturally it should be witnessed by all Seven Archons, shouldn't it Only then will the performance be convincing enough. Besides—"
Her smile deepened with unmistakable amusement. "I'm rather curious to see what those people will do when they suddenly find themselves facing a looming crisis."
Zhongli was silent for a moment before giving a slight shake of his head, as though the proposal did not quite accord with proper etiquette.
However, after a moment's reflection, he found that such an arrangement might indeed stir the waters of Liyue even more thoroughly than he had originally anticipated.
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